METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1383, 8 March 1912, Page 9

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Illy Telegraph—Prose Association.! Auckland, March 7. The Methodist Conference received the report of the Foreign Mission Committee, which expressed cordial approval of the progressive policy outlined by the hoard, including (he appointment of five additional missionaries and eight missionary sisters to various positions in the field. The conference pledged itself In use the utmost endeavours to raise during the year JIUGOO asked for by tho Board of Mis.-uoncrs. The statioiiing-sheet was read a second time, the following alterations from the first reading being mode:— Auckland District: l'itt Street in., A. Reader; .Methodist Mission, Nicholas Turner (siipplv); l'aeroa, It. U. tlosuell; Iluiitly, M. J. Evans; Northern W'airoa, YV. 11. Spier; Rotorua, C. B. Jordan; Tatiranga, J. Richards; Te Knili, K. B. Lawrence. 'Waiiganui District: Inglewood, A. M'Jican; Kaponga, Frederick Rands; Taihape, J. E. Parsons; Waimarino, AY. Lea. Wellington District: Wellington South, C. L. Carr; Potone, K. D. Patched; Napier, W. Walker (tlreenmcadows); Gisborne, a home missionary (in addition to J. A. Lochore); Kketahuna, C. Penney. Nelson District: Blenheim, .1. J. Lewis; HokitiU, C. Roberts; Mottieka, one wanted; Westport, E. Cox. Canterbury District: Chvistchurch South, C. If. Olds; New Brighton, U. Scrivin; Svdenham, T. R. Richards; Amberloy. A.'F. Burkhell. Otogo Central: Mosgicl, J. D. M'Arthur. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. At the Methodist Conference on Tuesday the report of the Connexioiuil Stinilu'v School and Young People's Board was presented. It stated that it was confidently believed that a steady advance was being made in this department. Amongst the schools there was a growing movement in the direction of adopting improved methods and material. It could be wished that the teachers' train; ing work and home department had made more progress. Sixteen teachers had gained the full diploma, and a number of others had completed the first section. The report emphasised the vital importance of junior membership, on the ground that if boys and girls were encouraged to become junior members at an early age, and in due courso invited to become full members, a large number of young people who were nt present lost to the Church would be retained. During the year the Sunday School Board met the committee appointed by the Primitive Methodist Church, and they unanimously agreed upon a scheme of organisation for the united Sunday School and young people's department. The Sunday school returns showed only a small increase in (lie number of scholars, but this wns probably duo to the fact that for the first time the number of Bible class members, who number nearly HOOO, have been returned separately. There was a total of about 1501) names on tho cradle roll. Tho schools contributed nearly ■ .£8(10 to missions and .CliiO to other philanthropic objects. Upwards of 300 scholars (from (18 schools) had' been received into full Church membership. It was significant that these scholars were recruited almost entirely from schools where there was a junior'membership. On the recommendation of the committee on institutions tho report was adopted, and it was resolved that for immediate expenses si grant of <£20 should be made %to the board from the contingent fund, and that . n special grant of £20 should bo made to it for tho liquidation of the deficiency on tho publication of the first report upon the Dominion Sunday School' Convention. The committee proposed that the next 1 Dominion convention "should be held this ■ year, but an amendment that it be post- ; polled till 1913 was carried. The confor- ; enco carried by 51 votes to 43 a further • amendment, moved by the Rev. S. Grif- , liths, that no convention bo held until t 19H. The amendment was put as the > substantive motion, and negatived by 19 ' votes to 47, so that the conference did ■ not arrive at any resolution upon the ' matter. The effect of the series of reso- > lutions is that there will bo no convoni tion this year.